AP Photo LINCOLN, Neb. Bobby Purify ran for 130 yards and a touchdown and Colorado stayed in alive in the Big 12 North race with a 26-20 victory Friday that sent Nebraska to its first losing season in 43 years.

Colorado (7-4, 4-4) won its third straight and now needs Missouri to win at Iowa State on Saturday to advance to the Big 12 championship game against Oklahoma.

The Cornhuskers (5-6, 3-5), who fired coach Frank Solich after a 9-3 regular season last year, ended the season with four losses in five games under new coach Bill Callahan. Nebraskas worst season since 1961 also snapped the Huskers NCAA record of 35 consecutive years with a bowl appearance.

Purify, who ran for 101 yards in the first half, became Colorados No. 3 career rusher on his 9-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The senior tailback has 1,010 yards for the season and 3,009 in his career.

Joel Klatt completed 18 of 29 passes, with one interception, for 222 yards and a touchdown for Colorado.

Blake Mackey had eight catches for 116 yards in his first start. Evan Judge, the Buffaloes season receiving leader, was out with a viral infection.

With help from Missouri, the Buffaloes will play in the Big 12 championship game for the third time in four years.

They were not expected to be in this position after an offseason sex and recruiting scandal that led to coach Gary Barnetts three-month suspension. And then there was the 1-4 start in Big 12 play.

Nebraskas Joe Dailey completed his first season as triggerman for Callahans West Coast offense with another erratic performance.

Dailey was 29 of 55 for 306 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Colorado converted three of picks into 13 points.

But Dailey also rallied the Cornhuskers late.

He threw 4-yard touchdown passes to Steve Kriewald and Ross Pilkington in the final four minutes to draw the Huskers within 26-20. But Nebraska couldnt connect on an onside kick with about a minute and a half left, and Colorado hung on for the win.

Cory Ross, the Huskers 1,000-yard rusher, was held to 35 yards on 11 attempts. He was shaken up, missed the last 6:32 of the first half and carried only once more.